A hit and run lands a good samaritan in the hospital. The victim is also a corrections officer at the Charlotte Corrections Institution, a state-run prison.

It happened on I-75 at mile marker 166 on the Peace River Bridge in Charlotte County at 12:30 a.m.

The victim stopped to help a stranded motorist.

It's been nearly 12 hours since 24-year-old James Perrine of North Port was flown to Lee Memorial Hospital. Still, he is listed in serious condition with many broken bones.

Now authorities need to find who's responsible.

Officer James Perrine was driving home from his shift at Charlotte Correctional Institution when he saw what was clearly a crash -- a driver who ran into the guard rail on the Peace River bridge.

Officer Perrine and another off-duty corrections officer stopped to help. That man is 50-year-old Lt. John Churilla.

The two didn't have time to move the car out of the left lane of traffic before a pick-up came barreling toward them.

Officer Perrine tried to run out of the way, but the truck hit him after slamming into the parked car.

The truck kept going.

"These officers are very important to us. If there is anyone out there who can help the authorities find the person who committed this heinous crime please come forward as soon as possible. Officer Perrine is in serious condition and his family asks that we keep him in our prayers," Charlotte Corrections Institution Warden Adro Johnson says.

Perrine was air-lifted to Lee Memorial. Churilla drove himself to a hospital where he was treated and released.

While conditions were bad -- dark road, on a bridge, in traffic -- Florida troopers want to again remind drivers of a law to protect people in those situations.

Move over if you see any flashing lights on the side of the road. While the truck driver may not have been in violation of *that* law because the car did not have flashing lights on, troopers say be aware.

"Just as we appreciate it if they do that for us (emergency workers), even if someone is on the road changing a tire, give them some room and a margin of safety also," Captain Jim Wells, Florida Highway Patrol, says.

WINK News also talked to Gerald Gaudlap's family today. He was the man who had the accident in the first place. Gaudlap's family says he's still in a lot of pain and worried for Officer Perrine who stopped to help him.

Authorities are looking for the driver who fled the scene. They're searching for a dark-colored Chevy pick-up with front-end damage. You are urged to call Florida Highway Patrol with information at (239) 938-1800.


FROM CHARLOTTE CORRECTIONS INSTITUTION:
Perinne was hired in trainee status in May 2007 and became a certified officer in March 2008. Churilla has been at Charlotte CI since December 1993, and was promoted to Lieutenant in November 2004. Both have spent their careers at Charlotte CI.